Shop local, shop small is the message for Saturday

Published: Friday, November 23, 2012 at 10:57 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 23, 2012 at 10:57 a.m.

If you are looking to help support your community, go shopping at a local small business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday, founded in 2010 by American Express, is the shopping day between big retailers' Black Friday and online retailers' Cyber Monday. “Back in 2010, we were talking to a lot of small businesses coming out of the recession. We asked them what did they need to help their businesses succeed, and they said loud and clear they needed more customers. One idea we had was to give small businesses their own day during holiday shopping,” said Scott Krugman, an American Express spokesman.

Krugman said in the two years that followed, small businesses have taken ownership of the day. Through marketing and promotions with the help of American Express, each year the effort is becoming more popular.

“Based on our surveys we saw that 44 percent of consumers shopped that day. This year that number is expected to jump up to 67 percent based on our surveys and research,” Krugman said.

Last year even President Barack Obama shopped on Small Business Saturday, Krugman said.

“If that isn't a sign that this is a permanent date on the calendar fixture, then I don't know what is,” he said.

Consumers are asked to be part of the wave by just shopping at small businesses in their area.

Felger's Shoes, 1539 Martin Luther King Blvd., Suite 116, Houma, is a small shoe store owned by Brenda Felger that will be participating.

“I think it's very important for consumers to remember the contributions that small businesses are to the community or how important they are to the community. We live here. We're not in North Carolina or someplace else. This is an opportunity to remind the consumer we are here, and we are here to help,” Felger said.

The shoe store has been a part of Small Business Saturday since the beginning. Even though it has started its promotion early on certain shoe styles, the store wants people to know it exists.

“It's not just for Saturday. But it's a way to hopefully remind people that we are here and that we offer promotions,” Felger said.

After 22 years of being in business, Felger said she is more appreciative of her customers than anything.

The Terrebonne Economic Development Authority has been one of the driving forces in Houma for Small Business Saturday. As a part of its mission, it works with small businesses and offers help with their marketing during this time.

The cash mob events the authority has been hosting is also another way it has promoted small business spending in the community.

Meg Benoit, TEDA director of communications, said TEDA holds small businesses close to its heart, and the event is a great way to get the people involved.

Thibodaux Main Street is another organization that has been pushing for Small Business Saturday so businesses like Queeny's Boutique in Thibodaux can get exposure.

Terry Percle, owner of Queeny's, 407 W. Fourth St., said this isn't the store's first time participating in Small Business Saturday either. Percle started last year and learned how local shopping is picking up.

“Small Business Saturday last year wasn't as well known to the public as it is this year. But I feel like this Saturday is going to be better. American Express spent a lot of time and money, and they are getting the word out,” she said.

Percle will also have a storewide sale going on as a thanks to returning customers and hopefully to new customers. She is excited for what the day will bring and said community support is key.

“Hopefully our community responds and gets behind us local businesses. I know I am going to do some shopping that day to help others out,” Percle said. “It would be a good day to see local politicians. We support them during election time, and we would like to see them walking around purchasing from locally owned businesses.”

Staff Writer Sable LeFrere can be reached at 985-857-2204 or at sable.lefrere@houmatoday.com.

<p>If you are looking to help support your community, go shopping at a local small business Saturday.</p><p>Small Business Saturday, founded in 2010 by American Express, is the shopping day between big retailers' Black Friday and online retailers' Cyber Monday. “Back in 2010, we were talking to a lot of small businesses coming out of the recession. We asked them what did they need to help their businesses succeed, and they said loud and clear they needed more customers. One idea we had was to give small businesses their own day during holiday shopping,” said Scott Krugman, an American Express spokesman. </p><p>Krugman said in the two years that followed, small businesses have taken ownership of the day. Through marketing and promotions with the help of American Express, each year the effort is becoming more popular.</p><p>“Based on our surveys we saw that 44 percent of consumers shopped that day. This year that number is expected to jump up to 67 percent based on our surveys and research,” Krugman said.</p><p>Last year even President Barack Obama shopped on Small Business Saturday, Krugman said.</p><p>“If that isn't a sign that this is a permanent date on the calendar fixture, then I don't know what is,” he said.</p><p>Consumers are asked to be part of the wave by just shopping at small businesses in their area. </p><p>Felger's Shoes, 1539 Martin Luther King Blvd., Suite 116, Houma, is a small shoe store owned by Brenda Felger that will be participating. </p><p>“I think it's very important for consumers to remember the contributions that small businesses are to the community or how important they are to the community. We live here. We're not in North Carolina or someplace else. This is an opportunity to remind the consumer we are here, and we are here to help,” Felger said. </p><p>The shoe store has been a part of Small Business Saturday since the beginning. Even though it has started its promotion early on certain shoe styles, the store wants people to know it exists. </p><p>“It's not just for Saturday. But it's a way to hopefully remind people that we are here and that we offer promotions,” Felger said. </p><p>After 22 years of being in business, Felger said she is more appreciative of her customers than anything.</p><p>“We couldn't do it without our customers. That's really the bottom line. Our customers are our partners.”</p><p>The Terrebonne Economic Development Authority has been one of the driving forces in Houma for Small Business Saturday. As a part of its mission, it works with small businesses and offers help with their marketing during this time.</p><p>The cash mob events the authority has been hosting is also another way it has promoted small business spending in the community.</p><p>Meg Benoit, TEDA director of communications, said TEDA holds small businesses close to its heart, and the event is a great way to get the people involved.</p><p>Thibodaux Main Street is another organization that has been pushing for Small Business Saturday so businesses like Queeny's Boutique in Thibodaux can get exposure.</p><p>Terry Percle, owner of Queeny's, 407 W. Fourth St., said this isn't the store's first time participating in Small Business Saturday either. Percle started last year and learned how local shopping is picking up.</p><p>“Small Business Saturday last year wasn't as well known to the public as it is this year. But I feel like this Saturday is going to be better. American Express spent a lot of time and money, and they are getting the word out,” she said.</p><p>Percle will also have a storewide sale going on as a thanks to returning customers and hopefully to new customers. She is excited for what the day will bring and said community support is key.</p><p>“Hopefully our community responds and gets behind us local businesses. I know I am going to do some shopping that day to help others out,” Percle said. “It would be a good day to see local politicians. We support them during election time, and we would like to see them walking around purchasing from locally owned businesses.”</p><p>Staff Writer Sable LeFrere can be reached at 985-857-2204 or at sable.lefrere@houmatoday.com.</p>